Key Panthers out

SAWTELL will not only be entering this week’s Group 2 top-of-the-table clash against Nambucca Heads without captain-coach Rohan Loudon and centre Nathan Davies but quite possibly the rest of the season without the star pair.

Davies injured his knee while attempting an acrobatic try against Macleay Valley and was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Results of an MRI scan on Davies’ injury are yet to be released but at this stage the injury is suspected to be a torn medial ligament.

Loudon is also in pain at the moment after suffering two fractures to his jaw.

The halfback is travelling south to Port Macquarie today to have his jaw wired together.

Both injuries are expected to keep the pair on the sidelines for a minimum of four to six weeks.

As there is less than six weeks before grand final day, there is a strong possibility that Loudon and Davies will only be able to play for the Panthers again this season if the team reaches the grand final.

“That’s if we get there,” Loudon said yesterday.

The captain-coach is refusing to admit that the season may be over for him and his prolific-scoring teammate.

“It might be a bit better than four to six weeks, we just have to wait and see what the medical reports say,” he said.

The injuries are a cruel blow to the Panthers who are sitting in second position and determined to repeat the club’s premiership victory in 2009.

If the final diagnosis for Loudon is bad news then it may be that the John Mackay medallist has played his last game after hinting at retirement through the season.

Sawtell officials gathered yesterday to watch vision of the incident that resulted in the fractures to Loudon’s jaw and was considering whether to proceed with a possible citing if they believe a Macleay Valley player was responsible.

Meanwhile, the playing group will need to work on a new combination without Loudon and Davies.